10 waterfalls worth chasing on the Atherton Tablelands

There are a million reasons why Tropical North Queensland should be at the top of your Must Visit List but the number one reason, in my eyes, is definitely the long list of waterfalls within short driving distance from Cairns. But before you jump into your car & take off, check out all the tips on how to photograph waterfalls like a boss! Hit the famous waterfall circuit, uncover those less known (and visited) or stretch a little further and take a dip in Australia’s widest, single-drop waterfall. Whatever your preference, here’s 10 of the MOST awesome waterfalls on the Atherton Tablelands. Take your pick!

1. Malanda Falls

Malanda falls is located next to the Malanda Visitor Centre. It’s surrounded by lush, green rainforest and is conveniently located a very short distance from the carpark, making it great for people with little legs that tire quickly. Grab a bite to eat after you swim at nearby Tree Kangaroo Café, which is open daily from 9:00am-4:30pm. If you’re up for a bit of light adventure, there are walking trails that lead from the falls, keep your eyes open for one of TNQ’s weird & wonderful animals, the elusive Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroos!

Photo by @jewelszee via IG

2. Millaa Millaa Falls

Millaa Millaa Falls is an incredibly photogenic, 18-metre waterfall and definitely an Atherton Tableland favourite on the famous Waterfall Circuit. It’s so awesome, it made it into our most instagrammable locations of 2015! You might recognise this beauty from its cameo appearance in the Herbal Essence shampoo commercial. This also explains the hair flipping photos you’ll no doubt see people trying to capture. It might be the most frequented waterfall on the Tablelands but it’s also the most majestic so definitely worth the stop!

Photo by @jewelszee via IG

3. Zillie Falls

Only 7.5km from Millaa Millaa Falls you’ll find its louder, more daring sibling, the remarkable – Zillie Falls. A magical, misty scene created by the roaring water hitting the surrounding rocks is too awesome to miss. At the bottom of the falls, you’ll find rock pools made for wallowing in!

Photo by Tetsu Hidai

4. Ellinjaa Falls

Ellinjaa Falls is a further 3km along the circuit from Zillie Falls. If you’re hungry from all the adventuring, stop in and use the BBQ’s and picnic tables provided. The pool at the base of Elinjaa Falls isn’t very deep so not a great swimming spot but we’ll let you in on a little secret – if you’re game there’s a hidden spot behind the waterfall where you can sit and take in its beauty.

Photo by @christianmcleod via IG

5. Dinner Falls

Positioned in the Mount Hypipamee National Park and on the same circuit as the eerily beautiful Mount Hypipamee Crater, Dinner Falls is a series of cascades from the headwaters of the Barron River. Picnic tables are provided in the circuit and it’s a wonderful place if you’re after more than one discovery in your day!

Photo by @kate_duffy via IG

6. Millstream Falls

Just past Queensland’s highest town (with Queensland’s highest pub!) Millstream falls is reputedly, the widest single-drop waterfall in Australia! Most people stop here at the beginning or end of their journey along the Savannah Way, an area rich with volcanic caves, cavernous gorges and gem stones waiting to be discovered. Interestingly, the Millstream area is said to have been used as a campground for soldiers during World War II and relics are often discovered in and around the falls, happy hunting!

Photo by @melissafindley via IG

7. Mungalli Falls

Mungalli Falls, a short 14 minute drive from Millaa Millaa Falls, is located in an area more famously known for the incredibly delicious and Bio-dynamic dairy products produced at Mungalli Creek Dairy. Well now you can add waterfalls to the list of things to do in this pocket of farmland on the Atherton Tablelands. Positioned by the Mungalli Education Centre, you can swim in pools both above and below the falls. Because most people do come here for the food, it seems a little silly that we don’t share our 15 fun food trails on the Atherton Tablelands.

Photo courtesy of Tourism & Events Queensland

8. Nandroya Falls

Encased in a mossy covered alcove of the Wooroonooran National Park, Nandroya Falls and its little sister, Silver Falls are worth every step of the 6km round trip from the carpark. Dropping from what looks like a crack in the rock, Nandroya Falls is perfect for cooling off in. For the best photo opp, we recommend clambering around the right hand side of the falls, be careful though it’s a little slippery! The area is also famous for it’s giant fig trees.

Photo by @lovethywalrus via IG

9. Tchupala Falls

Not far from Nandroya Falls is Tchupala Falls (pronounced Chu-par-la), an awesome spot to stop for a swim on your way down the Palmerston Highway. The water cascades down into multiple streams which means one thing, no fighting for prime position with your friends! Pick your spot under the waterfall and let the day waste away!

Photo by @jewelszee via IG

10. Wallicher Falls

By now you’re probably wondering, how many waterfalls could there possibly be on the Atherton Tablelands? To be honest, we haven’t even scratched the surface but if you’re visiting Tchupala Falls, you may as well stop and check out Wallicher Falls as well. With only 500m separating the two, locals say Wallicher Falls is more appealing but we’ll let you be the judge of that!

Photo by @jewelszee via IG

So this weekend, grab a couple of friends, pack a hearty lunch and some comfy walking shoes and chase those waterfalls!

Comments

However, as I’m not a local in Cairns, i will need to rent a car for the trip and would like to know the conditions of the road around the waterfalls. According to the street view from google map, Theresa Creek Road seems like an unsealed road and hence, not allowing me to drive a rental car in the area.

Any advise as I would like to go on a self-drive trip to explore the area as well.

Hi there,
Not to worry all the waterfalls listed here can be reached by a rental car. I suggest starting out with visiting the offical waterfall circuit which includes Millaa Millaa Falls, Zillie Falls and Ellinjaa Falls and go from there!

Hi Angelo, it’s probably best to space them out over a couple of days. 10 in one day is quite a lot! Your journey to the Atherton Tablelands will be quicker from Cairns but it’s certainly accessible from Port Douglas. I’d recommend staying overnight on the Atherton Tablelands to make it easier to get to them all. Happy hunting!